I just finished editing my 9th anthology and one may well ask – 
why? Why so many? And why anthologies?I think of myself still primarily as an author but I only have 6 of my own books published – the anthologies are definitely winning the race!
Why then all this time and effort invested in other people’s writings?
I guess the main reason is that I may be an author by profession but I’m a teacher at heart. Growing up with a multitude of foster sisters and brothers, I was always in big sister/teacher/helper mode. It just seems natural to me to teach and mentor others. As soon as I learn something new, my mind automatically converts it to a lesson and I imagine how I would go about passing on this new knowledge to someone else. For me, it’s not enough to just write; I want to also teach others to write. And as I advance in the profession, I want to bring others along with me.
I think it actually brings more joy to me to see one of my students win an award or get something published than it does for this to happen personally to me. I can celebrate their achievements without all the often turbulent emotions that surround my own successes.
And I believe that everyone has a story that is worth telling – and that all of us are richer for listening to the stories of others – especially those who may be different from us in some way. Anthologies give voice to many people with differing opinions, backgrounds and cultures.
Besides editing anthologies, I also really enjoy reading them! They give me exposure to a wide variety of authors and I can then go on to read more of their work if I choose. It also enriches my life to read samples of writing from books that I might not necessarily choose to pick up and read otherwise. Reading Hot Apple Cider http://www.hotapplecider.ca/ was a real pleasure for me as I tasted a sampling of the works of many different Canadian authors.
I guess I’ll continue on editing more anthologies. It seems to be somewhat of an addiction for me. And perhaps at this time, I could invite you to read some of these also. At 7:00 PM on April 1st at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, MB, we will be launching Northern Writers volume 2 and at 7:00 PM on April 17th , at Aqua Books in Winnipeg, MB, we will be launching an anthology of young Aboriginal authors entitled: Remember Me.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish all of our blog readers a very blessed Easter as we remember the extravagant love of God poured out to us thro
ugh the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us. He rose from the dead, conquering death forever! Through faith in Jesus, we can have eternal life. Now, that’s something to celebrate!
I think it actually brings more joy to me to see one of my students win an award or get something published than it does for this to happen personally to me. I can celebrate their achievements without all the often turbulent emotions that surround my own successes.
And I believe that everyone has a story that is worth telling – and that all of us are richer for listening to the stories of others – especially those who may be different from us in some way. Anthologies give voice to many people with differing opinions, backgrounds and cultures.
Besides editing anthologies, I also really enjoy reading them! They give me exposure to a wide variety of authors and I can then go on to read more of their work if I choose. It also enriches my life to read samples of writing from books that I might not necessarily choose to pick up and read otherwise. Reading Hot Apple Cider http://www.hotapplecider.ca/ was a real pleasure for me as I tasted a sampling of the works of many different Canadian authors.
I guess I’ll continue on editing more anthologies. It seems to be somewhat of an addiction for me. And perhaps at this time, I could invite you to read some of these also. At 7:00 PM on April 1st at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, MB, we will be launching Northern Writers volume 2 and at 7:00 PM on April 17th , at Aqua Books in Winnipeg, MB, we will be launching an anthology of young Aboriginal authors entitled: Remember Me.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish all of our blog readers a very blessed Easter as we remember the extravagant love of God poured out to us thro
ugh the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us. He rose from the dead, conquering death forever! Through faith in Jesus, we can have eternal life. Now, that’s something to celebrate! M. D. Meyer
M. D. Meyer will be launching her newest contemporary novel, Jasmine, at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, MB on April 1st at 7:00 PM. Jasmine is published by Word Alive Press and is available for sale in bookstores across Canada.
The ISBN is: 978-1-926676-87-6 and the price is $14.95.
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3 comments:
Yes Dorene..."and that all of us our richer for listening to the stories of others". Happy Easter to you too! :)
Dorene,
I thoroughly enjoyed your article, and was really engaged by what I'd describe as a sense of 'parent-like mentoring' which came through (at least, to me), regarding your joy in the progress and success of your writing students.
And yes, a blessed and joyous Easter to you, also.
Dorene,
I thoroughly enjoyed your article, and was really engaged by what I'd describe as a sense of 'parent-like mentoring' which came through (at least, to me), regarding your joy in the progress and success of your writing students.
And yes, a blessed and joyous Easter to you, also.
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